First Israeli ambassador in five years arrives in Turkey

Eitan Naeh, who served as a secretary at the embassy in Ankara back in 1993, was appointed ambassador by the Israeli foreign ministry last month. Turkey reciprocated a day later, appointing its own ambassador to Israel -- Kemal Okem.

Upon arrival in the Turkish capital, Naeh told reporters he was "very happy to be back in Turkey as ambassador."

"We have a lot of work to do," said Naeh, whose last diplomatic posting was as deputy ambassador to the UK.

The raid on the Mavi Marmara ship left eight Turks and an American citizen of Turkish origin dead. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized for the raid in 2013, acknowledging that "operational mistakes" had been made.

After the two sides signed the deal, Israel paid $20 million in compensation to the families of the Turkish nationals killed in the raid. In return, Turkey ended all criminal and civil claims against Israel and its military personnel.

The blockade on Gaza is to remain in place. But Turkey, which had initially demanded that it be lifted, will be able to deliver humanitarian supplies through the port of Ashdod in Israel.

Symbolic nature

"It demonstrates a return to the normalization of relations," he said.

Turkey had long been Israels closest ally in the region, but ties began to decline after Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party has roots in Turkeys Islamist movement, became prime minister in 2003.

"It is clear that the Turkey of today is not the Turkey of 10 years ago. We arent looking for a return of relations that we had 10 years ago. But we will do our utmost to deepen our relations and understandings," Nahshon said.